Best car insurance for pickup trucks

There are multiple pickup truck manufacturers to choose from, and each has its own line of pickups available. Just like each model and trim package has a different price, your insurance rates can also vary by the make, model and trim package you choose. No matter which pickup truck you decide on, getting the best car insurance coverage and rate is usually a priority for many. Knowing which companies offer the best car insurance rates can help ensure your purchase fits your budget, including car insurance costs and truck payment.

How much does it cost to insure a pickup truck?

While there are many factors influencing the cost of pickup truck insurance, price of parts and safety features have a noticeable impact.

• Price of parts: The more expensive the vehicle is to repair, the more likely you will have higher insurance premiums. Replacement parts that cost more to provide, such as parts coming from overseas, are factored into insurance premiums.
• Safety features: Each year usually introduces new safety features to vehicles, including pickup trucks. Recent model years can include standard safety features like anti-lock brakes, traction control and lane departure warnings such as those found with the Toyota Tundra equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense Package. This contributes to cheaper insurance costs since it lowers the risk of an accident.

Car insurance for a pickup truck

When you are in the market for a new pickup truck or simply comparing the cost of ownership for one, you may find it helpful to review the insurance costs for each make and model. The rates below include both annual minimum and full coverage averages for various pickup truck models based on 2021 rates from Quadrant Information Services, but your own rates could be higher or lower depending on your personal factors.

Car insurance for pickup truck by make and model

When purchasing a pickup truck, many drivers may not realize the impact the make and model has on car insurance rates. Generally speaking, pickup trucks that largely depend on domestic manufacturing and parts tend to cost less to insure compared to other models. While the impact to the cost of minimum coverage is not as noticeable, the cost difference between models for full coverage is more apparent. The 2021 rates shown below are the average costs for minimum and full coverage per year for several pickup truck makes and models.

Best car insurance for pickup trucks

Truck owners have a number of options when it comes to auto insurance. However, every auto insurer has benefits and shortcomings. Based on coverage options, discounts and customer service ratings, pickup truck drivers might want to consider Erie, Amica and USAA (if eligible) as some of the best auto insurers for pickup truck drivers, according to Bankrate’s assessment.

• Erie: Erie is a regional insurance company providing competitive rates for many pickup truck owners. Auto policies can include pet coverage, locksmith reimbursement, auto glass repair coverage, accident forgiveness and much more. Although Erie is only available in 12 states, those who do have access to their policies can take advantage of a rate lock guarantee and a variety of discounts to help you earn a lower rate.
• Amica: Amica consistently earns top ratings for customer satisfaction with J.D. Power and earns an A+ (Superior) rating for financial strength with A.M. Best. The company sells a variety of policy add-ons, like accident forgiveness, full glass coverage and gap insurance for more protection. Amica is not always the least expensive option, but there are also a number of unique discounts, including several aimed at younger drivers.
• USAA: USAA is a great option, but it is limited to those who meet the eligibility requirements. For current or former members of the military and their eligible immediate family members, USAA offers reliable coverage and a long list of discounts for further savings. You might earn a discount for garaging your vehicle on base, being a good student or taking a defensive driving course.

Cheapest car insurance companies for pickup trucks

Amica, Erie, Geico, State Farm and USAA are some of the best car insurance companies available, as well as some of the largest insurance companies by market share offering cheaper rates. The table below illustrates the 2021 rates from each provider for each of the popular pickup truck models. Although your rates will vary based on personal factors and your specific make and model, USAA consistently provides the most affordable rates on average for eligible members compared to other providers on our list.

Average annual premium for full coverage by model

Pickup trucks features that impact insurance costs

Drivers today have more options and features to choose from than ever before. Selecting certain safety features can help not only keep you safer on the road, but also lead to additional savings on the cost of car insurance for pickup trucks. Some common safety features to you may want to ensure your truck has include:

• Side air bags: Side air bags protect passengers in case of a side impact, including extra protection to the upper body and heads of passengers.
• Blind spot warning: Changing lanes can be dangerous, but a blind spot warning system alerts the driver when there is another vehicle nearby. This is helpful in cases where you may not otherwise notice the other vehicle in time.
• Lane-keeping system: This safety feature, available in Fords pickups and other models, alerts the driver when they drift too far from the center lane. This feature helps lower the probability of a side-swipe collision.
• Rearview cameras: Rearview camera technology is now common in most vehicles, but the feature helps keep drivers safe all the same. Rearview cameras reduce the risks associated with backing into unseen objects, people or the path of an oncoming vehicle.

Another factor to keep in mind is that the price tag for buying a truck is typically higher than buying a car, so when a truck is damaged in an accident, a repair or replacement claim will likely cost the insurance company more than it otherwise would.

Other car insurance coverage for pickup trucks

You are required in nearly every state to carry at least a minimum amount of liability insurance on your pickup truck. This type of insurance pays for the damages you cause to other parties if you’re at fault in an accident, but it does not pay to repair your truck if you were at fault.

As such, full coverage car insurance may be a better option for newer or higher value trucks, and you may be required by your lender or financial institution to carry a full coverage car insurance policy if you have a car loan or are leasing your truck. Pickup truck drivers may also have the option add additional coverage types to their insurance policy, including:

• Collision coverage: This type of coverage may help pay for repairs or replace your pickup in the event of a total loss after a motor vehicle accident.
• Comprehensive, or “other-than-collision,” coverage: This type of coverage protects you from losses caused by theft, vandalism, weather and animals, plus broken windows or windshields.
• Towing: This type of coverage provides financial coverage for emergency roadside services, such as key lockout, replacing a flat tire and recharging a dead battery, up to a certain dollar amount.
• Rental coverage: This pays for a certain dollar amount of percentage towards a rental car when your truck is in the shop due to a covered loss.
• OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts coverage: This type of coverage can be purchased to guarantee that only original factory parts will be used if your pickup needs repaired.
• Pet injury coverage: This type of coverage can help reduce the cost of vet bills if your pet is injured in a collision.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers commute five days a week, drive 12,000 miles annually and were evaluated using the following cars:

• 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• 2019 Dodge Ram 1500
• 2019 Ford F-150
• 2019 GMC Sierra 1500
• 2019 Nissan Titan
• 2019 Toyota Tundra

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.